Stationery, Shuttle, and Canteen Price Hikes Strain Parent Budgets Ahead of New Academic Year
Ahead of the new academic year where millions of students will start classes, increases in stationery, clothing, shuttle, and canteen prices stand out, while complaints regarding non-compliance with official ceiling price tariffs are rising.
Ahead of the new academic year where millions of students will start classes on Monday, increases in stationery, clothing, shuttle, and canteen prices have become evident. The cost of basic stationery shopping reached between 2,500 and 3,000 TL with an increase of 25-30 percent.
Basic Shopping Cost
Millions of students will start classes on Monday, and with days left until the schools open, increases in needs items have been announced. The cost of basic stationery shopping, consisting of a bag, notebook, pencil, water bottle, and lunch box, reached the level of 2,500 to 3,000 liras.
This amount, which ranged between 1,900 and 2,000 liras last year, indicates an increase of approximately 25-30 percent.
Private School and Canteen Prices
Although the Ministry of National Education bans charging fees under the name of textbooks in private schools, some private schools offer books and materials under the name of stationery packages, and the prices of these packages range from 50,000 TL to 200,000 TL.
While price increases in many products in school canteens exceeded 30 percent, clothing costs increased by 15 percent, and shuttle fees by 25-30 percent.
Canteen Expenses and Ceiling Price
According to the new ceiling price tariff to be applied in canteens, the total price of toast and ayran rose to 130 liras; simit was set at 30 liras, pastry at 35 liras, water at 15 liras, tea at 25 liras, and chicken döner at 145 liras.
Although the Turkey Canteen Operators Federation stated that prices were increased by around 6.2 percent for the new year, the rate exceeded 40 percent in many products.
Shuttle Tariffs in Three Metropolitan Cities
School shuttle fees are determined by UKOME and municipal councils; shuttle fees increased by 10 percent in Istanbul, 25.49 percent in Ankara, and 35 percent in Izmir.
In Istanbul, the shortest distance was announced as 39,970 TL and the longest distance as 93,610 TL, and bridge toll fees are also reflected in the shuttle price.
Parent Complaints and Non-Compliance with Tariffs
Although ceiling price tariffs are determined in each province, many schools and shuttles do not comply with these figures, demanding fees up to two to three times higher from parents.
According to Şikayetvar data, demanding figures far above official tariffs, such as 140,000 TL instead of 48,000 TL or 161,000 TL instead of 79,000 TL, causes reactions from parents.
Price Increases on a Product Basis
Students' stationery expenses showed an increase ranging between 27 percent and 32 percent compared to last year.
Over the past year, backpack prices increased by 45.45 percent, water bottles by 33.33 percent, finger paint by 30.14 percent, and 12-pack pencils by 25 percent.